When you think of heavy‑duty excavators and earthmoving machinery, JCB stands out for its durable and high‑performance attachments. Among these, JCB Teeth & Side Cutter systems are integral wear parts that protect your bucket’s edges while extending its service life. Though often seen on OEM JCB buckets, these robust side cutters are versatile enough to be retrofitted onto universal buckets—a smart upgrade that can deliver extra resilience and cost savings for fleet owners and rental houses alike.
Universal buckets are built to be compatible with many types of excavators and attachments, but their edges can still suffer from rapid wear in abrasive conditions. JCB side cutters, made from hardened steel and precision-designed, offer superior protection—especially on the bucket’s wing edges—reducing wear and preserving the bucket’s structural integrity.
Rather than allowing costly edge damage to escalate—such as bent wings or worn corner sections—you can install replaceable side cutters. These parts are easier and cheaper to swap out than repairing or replacing entire bucket sections.
By absorbing the brunt of the wear, JCB Teeth & Side Cutter attachments help keep the main bucket body intact longer, extending the bucket’s effective lifespan and delaying capital expenditure for replacements.
Side cutters not only protect—they also help the bucket penetrate material more cleanly and slice through soil and aggregate more efficiently. That improvement in penetration can increase cycle times and overall productivity.
Universal bucket (check compatibility and clean, undamaged cutting edge or weld surface).
JCB side cutters sized to fit your bucket model (ensure they align in shape and hole spacing).
Mounting hardware (JCB-specified bolts, nuts, washers, locking pins—replace them if rusted or damaged).
Welding and fabrication tools (if your universal bucket doesn’t already have mounting brackets, you may need to tack or weld side‑cutter brackets onto vertical bucket wings).
Torque wrench, grinder, protective gear (gloves, welding shield, etc.).
Choose JCB Eyes & Side Cutter parts (or “Teeth & Side Cutter” kits). Check part numbers and physical dimensions. Universal buckets vary in width and taper—so exactly matching the side cutter’s footprint and mounting holes is key.
Thoroughly clean the bucket’s cutting edge and remove any rust, paint overspray, or previous abrasive build-up. If the bucket lacks pre-welded mounting plates for side cutters, you’ll need to weld on JCB-compatible mounting pads. Precision here ensures proper fit and easy future replacement.
Before any welding or drilling, place the side cutter onto the mounting surface to verify alignment and spacing. If there’s misalignment, you may need to grind or shim tolerance.
Use high-quality weld wire and practice proper fusion techniques to weld the mounting pads or brackets. Ensure they’re square and aligned. Let the welds cool properly and then grind smooth—but avoid reducing material thickness.
Secure the JCB Teeth & Side Cutter in place using the recommended hardware. Tighten bolts to the specified torque—consult JCB torque charts if available. Always replace any locking washers or locking pins that are missing or worn.
Double-check that everything is tight and aligned. Spin the bucket (if possible) to evaluate for clearance and proper seating. Ensure there’s no interference that could loosen the attachment under load.
Re-toruque bolts after the first few hours of operation.
Inspect side cutters regularly for cracks or wear—replace before they fail.
Keep mounting surfaces clean and greased (if applicable) to ease future change-outs.
Reduced Operational Downtime: With durable side cutters in place, there’s less chance of damaging the bucket shell, which means fewer repair halts.
Improved Cut Efficiency: Enhanced penetration and smoother dig cycles can lead to better fuel economy and faster clearing.
Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Replaceable side cutters are far cheaper than a full bucket replacement over time.
Flexibility Across Machine Fleets: Universal buckets with retrofitted JCB Teeth & Side Cutter attachments can be shared across machines, boosting utilization.
Retrofitting JCB Teeth & Side Cutter attachments onto universal buckets is a practical, cost-effective upgrade that extends bucket life, boosts performance, and saves money on maintenance and replacements. It requires some fabrication know-how and careful installation, but the payoff—in durability, uptime, and productivity—is well worth the effort.
TEAM Excavator & Dozer Parts is one of the largest manufacturers of heavy construction, mining and earth moving equipment parts, such as Excavators & Bulldozers, in Southern India.